Solo2Darwin: In the Footsteps of Amy Johnson

by Amanda Harrison, Polly Vacher (Foreword by)

Overview

Inspired by past aviation pioneers, Amanda Harrison flew her vintage Tiger Moth from Biggin Hill to Darwin, Australia in 20 days, overcoming weather challenges, engine failures, and dangerous terrains all while recovering from cancer.

Whilst learning to fly, Amanda Harrison discovered a beautiful vintage Tiger Moth. After researching the amazing pioneers who flew this fragile aircraft, a spark was ignited, and Amanda dreamed of emulating their adventures. On 11th May 2019, she made that dream a reality, taking off from Biggin Hill with the aim of flying to Darwin, Australia in 20 days – just as her idol Amy Johnson had done in 1930. Solo2Darwin documents one woman’s exhilarating journey across the world. Indeed, the launch of her biplane, ‘Solo2Darwin’, received extensive press coverage including print features in The Times and The Telegraph and TV footage broadcasted on ITV and Channel 5 News respectively.

Faced with adversity, navigating through torturous mountain ranges covered in cloud, across seas, dodging thunderstorms and surviving engine failures, Amanda’s route had plenty of highs, lows and drama. Alongside this she also experienced the difficulties of solo-flying a biplane and having to navigate dangerous regions across the world. What makes Amanda’s expedition even more remarkable is that this was all undertaken whilst recovering from
cancer.

So strap in and prepare to go on a journey of a lifetime. Twelve countries, 2,600 miles, 46 flying hours, two engine failures, one airplane, one female pilot, all equals one amazing adventure!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781911714040
Publisher:	Grub Street
Publication date:	07/31/2024
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.20(h) x (d)

About the Author

Amanda Harrison is a commercial pilot with a tremendous sense of adventure. Eighteen months after being diagnosed with breast cancer, she started her journey in a Tiger Moth which inspired this book. Inspired by her father’s remote-controlled aircraft models, she started flying lessons at the age of 14 and gained her PPL after attending university. She then trained to be a commercial pilot and flight instructor specializing in vintage aircraft – an incredible feat for someone with severe dyslexia and with only five per cent of commercial pilots being
female.

Though the ‘Solo2Darwin’ flight is her most ambitious to date, Amanda has achieved success in many international aviation competitions including the 75th Anniversary Schneider Trophy Race and being a holder of four UK speed records for distance over time.

Amanda believes that ordinary people can do extraordinary things and is a living example of this. She is passionate about inspiring others to keep their dreams alive and live them to the full.

Born in south Devon, she trained in physiotherapy and spent twenty years in music education. Her interest in aviation developed from a charity skydiving event. She obtained her private pilot license with her husband Peter in Australia in 1994 and they followed this up by a circumnavigation of the continent. In 1997 she toured the United States by plane, flying solo across the North Atlantic in both directions.